From rigorous voyages at sea to difficult journeys across land, explorers helped shape the world's achievements and history into what they sweated until to today thanks to their natural curiosity and thirst for adventure. One such adventurer we know today as Vasco da Gama marked a turning point in the history of exploration when he tested man's courage by navigating the uncharted waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean in the hope of finding a route to India. . His discovery opened a door for exploration and trade while establishing a foundation on which others can rise to the occasion and strive to do so. Before his life as an explorer began, Vasco da Gama's early years contributed greatly to his later adventurous life at sea. Born in 1460, da Gama was raised in Sines, Portugal, by his mother, Isabel Sodre, and his father, Estevao da Gama. During his childhood, his two closest playmates were his brother, Paulo da Gama, and Juan Ponce de Leon, who lived in the same neighborhood as da Gama and later became a famous explorer. Da Gama's father was a distinguished and well-known military man, but instead of following in his father's footsteps as many expected, Da Gama chose to pursue his love for the sea. Growing up in the coastal town of Sines , da Gama spent the vast majority of his time as a child around sailors and fishing boats, which allowed him to learn many skills in sailing and navigation. With pre-established navigation skills under his belt, da Gama made the decision to join the navy as soon as he became old enough, where he earned his reputation as a tough and fearless navigator. In 1492, King John II appointed da Gama as commander of an attack on French ships to take revenge on the French government as a result...... middle of paper ......life after the death of King Manuel, King John III asked da Gama to lead another trip to India to combat the growing corruption of Portuguese commerce. Da Gama returned to India in 1524, and before leaving Portugal, da Gama received the noble title of viceroy allowing him to govern the colonies of India. Upon arrival, Da Gama fell ill with an unknown illness while in Cochin, India and sadly passed away, leaving behind a legacy that others can admire and aspire to. Although Da Gama's discovery of the trade route to India proved a tragedy for the Indians in the following years. , he successfully created a path forward for future explorers while expanding knowledge of the world. His expedition proved that any journey or objective, whether by land or sea, could be accomplished with instilled will and unwavering determination. As quoted by Da Gama himself